Celadon Bowl with Raised Lotus and Boy Design thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 145

Celadon Bowl with Raised Lotus and Boy Design

Bowl
1200-1250 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The bowl is covered with a celadon glaze. The exterior is plain while the interior has moulded and inlaid decoration of a lotus blossom in the well, three moulded boys amongst lotus flowers on the sides, and an inlaid arabesque border near the rim. The foot ring is glazed and has three spur marks.
The earliest Korean celadons with inlaid decoration are associated with a tomb of 1150, and so a late 12th century date is suggested for this elegant pale green bowl.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCeladon Bowl with Raised Lotus and Boy Design (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Glazed, impressed, inlaid stoneware
Brief description
Stoneware bowl with celadon glaze with impressed and inlaid decoration, Korea, Koryô dynasty, 1150-1200
Physical description
The bowl is covered with a celadon glaze. The exterior is plain while the interior has moulded and inlaid decoration of a lotus blossom in the well, three moulded boys figures amongst lotus flowers on the sides, and an inlaid arabesque border near the rim. The foot ring is glazed and has three spur marks.

This celadon bowl is glazed a jade-green colour with a subtle gloss. The interior has a scroll band inlaid with white clay below the rim and an impressed design of boys and blooming lotus flowers in a pond. The exterior is undecorated. There are three silica spur marks on the foot. This masterpiece was produced at a kiln in Sadang-ri, Gangjin, in the early 13th century when the inlaid celadon technique, or sanggam, started to be used.
Dimensions
  • Height: 7.4cm
  • Mouth diameter: 18.4cm
  • Base diameter: 6.1cm
Styles
Gallery label
Bowl Korea, Koryô dynasty, 1150-1200, glazed stoneware with impressed and inlaid decoration Museum no. C.584-1918. Given by Aubrey Le Blond(2009)
Credit line
Given by Mr Aubrey Le Blond
Subjects depicted
Summary
The bowl is covered with a celadon glaze. The exterior is plain while the interior has moulded and inlaid decoration of a lotus blossom in the well, three moulded boys amongst lotus flowers on the sides, and an inlaid arabesque border near the rim. The foot ring is glazed and has three spur marks.
The earliest Korean celadons with inlaid decoration are associated with a tomb of 1150, and so a late 12th century date is suggested for this elegant pale green bowl.
Bibliographic references
  • McKillop, Beth Korean Art and Design. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1992
  • London: V&A,
  • 1992.
  • 4410.
  • Bernard Rackham.
  • Catalogue of the Le Blond collection of Corean ceramics.
  • London: V&A,
  • 1918.
  • .991635.
  • Honey.
  • Plate 47B.
  • National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage. Daejeon: National Research Institue of Cultural Heritage, 2013, pp. 58-59.
Collection
Accession number
C.584-1918

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 3, 2000
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest